United States/phone tapping by NSA/conversation between M. François Hollande, President of the Republic, and Mr Barack Obama, President of the United States – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 24 June 2015

The French President called President Obama this afternoon to discuss the disclosure of NSA files in the French press relating to eavesdropping carried out between 2006 and 2012.

The exchange provided an opportunity to clarify the principles that must govern relations between allies with respect to intelligence.

President Obama unequivocally reiterated his strong commitment, undertaken in November 2013 following the Snowden affair and already reaffirmed during the state visit in February 2014, to put an end to the practices that may have taken place in the past and which were unacceptable between allies.

French intelligence officials will travel to Washington very soon to deepen cooperation./.

United States/phone tapping by NSA/Defence Council – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 24 June 2015

The Defence Council, which met today, examined the nature of the reports released by the press yesterday evening about the period 2006-2012, which concern the conduct of the NSA.

These are unacceptable actions, which have already prompted things to be clarified between the United States and France, particularly at the end of 2013 at the time of the first revelations and during the French President’s visit to the United States in February 2014.

Commitments were made by the American authorities. They must be remembered and strictly honoured.

France, which has further stepped up its monitoring and protection system, will tolerate no activities which jeopardize its security and the protection of its interests./.

United States/phone tapping by NSA – Statement by Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development

Paris, 24 June 2015

I summoned the US Ambassador to France to tell her the following: the revelations that were made and published in the papers indicate unacceptable practices. It is unacceptable that the conversations, including the private conversations, of three French presidents – Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande – were subject to eavesdropping. This is unacceptable, particularly coming from an ally and friend like the United States.

This morning, President Hollande convened the Defence Council, the Prime Minister addressed the National Assembly, the President had President Obama on the telephone and I summoned the Ambassador to tell her three things.

First, that it is unacceptable; second, that we want to know if these practices have ended; and third, that ending these practices must apply not only to the President but much more broadly, because while we understand that there may be eavesdropping when it comes to terrorists, this has nothing to do with eavesdropping on allied leaders and friends. And I asked the Ambassador to be kind enough to provide us with answers promptly.